The heart of the Cubs batting order could use a defibrillator. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have yet to drive in a run in the NLCS and they are a collective 4-for-29 (.137) with one walk and 12 strikeouts. Rizzo has struck out 8 times in 13 at-bats. It’s not like they’re alone; the Cubs are hitting just .163 as a team. But this would seem the perfect time for the Bryzzo Souvenir Co. to generate some product or, as the company slogan goes, “put the ding back in dingers.”

2. Cut out L.A.’s heart

While the Cubs’ sluggers have been slumbering, the Dodgers’ big bats have been booming. Justin Turner (1.402 OPS in the series) and Yasiel Puig (1.222) have combined for 10 hits, nine walks and eight RBI in the first four games. Is it time to give them the Bryce Harper treatment? How Jose Quintana handles L.A.’s right-handed power will be a big factor in this game.

3. Lean on Q

So far Quintana’s first postseason has been impressive: a 1.59 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 11 1/3 innings. With a wobbly and weakened bullpen, the Cubs need Quintana to keep his pitch count down and go as deep into the game as possible.

4. Don’t fear Clayton Cursed-Shaw

The so-called “Best Pitcher on the Planet” has a 5-7 record and a 4.57 ERA in the postseason. In two starts 2017 against the Cubs, one in the regular season and one in Game 1 of the NLCS, Kershaw gave up 15 hits (four of them homers) and 6 runs in 9 1/3 total innings. The Cubs also KOd Kershaw in Game 6 of last year's NLCS, tagging him for two homers and five runs in five innings. If the Cubs can rattle L.A.'s ace, they’ll shake the Dodgers’ confidence. That’s easier said than done, yes, but as the numbers above indicate, the Cubs have done it before — and recently.

5. Nail down the 9th, one Wade or another

After a 48-pitch, two-inning save in Game 4, Wade Davis’ availability for Game 5 is uncertain at best. If the game comes down to a save situation, it’s likely the Cubs will need someone else — Carl Edwards Jr., Mike Montgomery, Pedro Strop or maybe even Jon Lester — to step in and shut the door.